Mixing and dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A combiner mixer and dispenser apparatus has a pair of co-axial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent apertured axial ends adapted to be immersed in a liquid, the outer tube having radial openings selectively closable by the inner tube depending on its axial position relative to the outer tube. A spring urges the inner tube towards a terminal position at which the radial openings are uncovered so that the rotation of an impeller carried by a shaft mounted in the inner tube is effective to draw liquid through an opening in the axial end of the outer tube and expel it through the radial openings thus mixing the liquid. When the inner tube is moved axially to partially or fully cover the radial openings, the liquid drawn through the opening in the end of the outer tube is pumped upwardly through the inner tube and dispensed. A combined mixing and dispensing operation can be carried out simultaneously by positioning the inner tube so that the radial openings in the outer tube are only partially covered.

United States Patent [1 1 Kolkovsky Apr. 23, 1974 MIXING AND DISPENSINGAPPARATUS [76] Inventor: Yehuda Kolkovsky, 27 Hayardin St., Ramat-Gan,Israel [22] Filed: Jan. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 326,119

Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-John P. ShannonAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Browdy and Neimark nl l 29 5 7 ABSTRACT Acombiner mixer and dispenser apparatus has a pair of co-axial,telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent apertured axial endsadapted to be immersed in a liquid, the outer tube having radialopenings selectively closable by the inner tube depending on its axialposition relative to the outer tube. A spring urges the inner tubetowards a terminal position at which the radial openings are uncoveredso that the rotation of an impeller carried by a shaft mounted in theinner tube is effective to draw liquid through an opening in the axialend of the outer tube and expel it through the radial openings thusmixing the liquid. When the inner tube is moved axially to partially orfully cover the radial openings, the liquid drawn through the opening inthe end of the outer tube is pumped upwardly through the inner tube anddispensed. A combined mixing and dispensing operation can be carried outsimultaneously by positioning the inner tube so that the radial openingsin the outer tube are only partially covered.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures MIXING AND DISPENSING APPARATUS Thisinvention relates to a combined mixer and dispenser apparatus forliquids, and more particularly to apparatus which converts easily fromone type of operation to another, or which can achieve both operationssimultaneously.

Large-scale batch processing of chemicals on an industrial basis, aswell as small-scale preparation of food products such as cocktails on adomestic basis, involve selective agitation of various constituents in acontainer followed by the dispensing of the mixed product. It is wellknown in the art to provide a combined mixer and dispenser apparatuswhere the two operations are carried out sequentially and independently.Thus, in US. Pat. No. 3,289,897, mixing is carried out by the rotationof an impeller in one direction, while dispensing is carried out byreversing the direction of rotation of the impeller. This arrangementrequires a reversible motor and suitable switching contacts complicatingthe design and mounting of the device and increasing its cost. Inaddition, mixing and dispensing must be carried out sequentially withthe result that dispensing can be achieved only after mixing has beencompleted thus delaying the dispensing operation.-

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids whereinmixing and dispensing can be carried out simultaneously with a minimumof movable parts and the utmost in simplicity.

According to the present invention there is provided a pair of coaxial,telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axial ends adapted to beimmersed in a liquid, the axial end of the outer tube being open andhaving radial openings adjacent thereto, the axial end of the inner tubehaving an eccentrically located aperture and adapted to selectivelyclose the radial openings in the outer tube depending on the relativeaxial positions of the tubes. Spring means are provided for urging theinner tube towards a terminal axial position relative to the outer tubeestablishing the normal mode of operation of the apparatus which may beeither mixing or dispensing depending on whether the radial openings arefully closed or fully opened in the normal position of the inner tube.Coaxial with the tubes is a shaft that extends centrally through theaxial ends of the inner tube and terminates in an impeller whichoperates to mix or dispense the liquid, sequentially, or to mix anddispense the fluid simultaneously, depending on the relative position ofthe coaxial tubes (i.e., the displacement of the inner tube from itsnormal position against the bias of the spring to an axial positionfully or partially blocking the radial openings in the outer tube.)

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the combined mixer and dispenser apparatusmounted in a container with the inner tube shown in its normal positionready for performing a mixing operation; and

PK]. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the inner tube moved toanother terminal position at which the apparatus is effective fordispensing fluid.

Referring now to FIG. 1, reference numeral designates a combined mixerand dispenser according to the present invention incorporated into acontainer 11 holding a liquid 12. Container 11 has a wide mouth 13 atthe top provided with screw threads for mating with correspondingthreads on an annular flange 14 projecting downwardly from housing 15containing the dispenser 10. Housing 15 includes a base plate 16 withinwhich a gasket 17 is seated in sealing engagement with the open' end ofthe container when the threads of flange 14 are threaded onto the mouthof container 11. Base 16 thus closes and seals the open end of thecontainer.

Centrally located on base 16 and rigidly attached thereto is an outertube 18 that is a part of the combined mixer and dispenser 10. The upperportion of tube 18 is enlarged as shown at 19; and the lower end of thistube is likewise enlarged as shown at 20 being provided with anextension 21 having radially directed openings 22. The lower end of tube18 is closed except for a centrally located axial aperture 23.

Coaxial with and telescopically mounted within tube 18 is an inner tube24 having a lower enlarged end 25 that matches and mates with enlargedend 20 and extension 21 of the outer tube. The lower end of the innertube is closed by a cup-shaped member 26 which has an eccentricallylocated aperture 27 and which forms the pump housing.

The upper end of inner tube 24 is also provided with an enlargedshoulder 28 which matches and is engageable with the enlarged portion 19of the outer tube. Projecting upwardly through apertures is base plate16 are at least two extensions 29 on whose free ends are providedcollars 30 against which one end of a coiled spring 31 bears while theother end of the spring bears against base 16. Springs 31 urge the innertube upwardly towards the terminal position shown in FIG. 1 wherein theshoulder 25 on the inner tube abuts with enlargement 20 on the outertube 18 thus establishing the normal position of the inner tube at whichit uncovers the openings 22 in the outer tube are uncovered. As will bedescribed below, the inner tube 24 may be moved axially downwardly bymeans of extensions 29 until the enlargement 28 on the inner tube abutsthe enlargement 29 on the outer tube. When this occurs, the inner tube24 will completely block the radial openings 22 as shown in FIG. 2. Theinner tube may also be positioned at various axial locations between thetwo terminal positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the purpose partiallyblocking the radial openings 22.

In addition to the coaxial tubes 18 and 24, the combined mixer anddispenser 10 includes a shaft 32 that is axially fixed but coaxial withthe tubes and extends centrally from the base 16 through the cup-shapedmember 26 adjacent the lower axial ends of the two tubes and terminatesin an impeller 33 that is rigidly attached to the bottom free end of theshaft. Shaft 32 is rotatably mounted within the upper portion of innertube 24 and within the cup-shaped member 26, and extends through thebase 16 where the upper end of the shaft is coupled by a sleeve 34 tothe output shaft of an electric motor 35 which is centrally mounted onplate 16 by means of a motor mount 36 attached to the plate. Motor 35may be operated either by an external electric circuit or by batteries(not shown). In either event, energization of the motor 35 by a suitableswitch, indicated generally by reference numeral 37, will cause theshaft 32 to rotate in a direction that will cause the impeller 33 to actas a pump and draw liquid 12 through the opening 23 and into the chamber38 defined by the cup-member 26 and the axial end of the outer tube 18.

The combined mixer and dispenser also includes an operating cylinder 39coaxially mounted with respect to the motor mount 36 and interposedbetween extensions 29 and a top cover 40 on the housing 15.Specifically, operating cylinder 39 has a central projection 41extending through an opening in the cover 40 and providing a recesswithin which one end of spring 42 is engaged. The other end of thespring is engaged with a central boss on the motor mount 36 such thatthe operating cylinder 39 is urged upwardly by spring 42 out ofengagement with projections 29. Upon manual depression of projection 41as shown in FIG. 2, the operating cylinder 39 will engage theprojections 29 of the inner tube thereby permitting an operator toposition the inner tube 24 at any axial location between the locationshown in FIG. 1, at which the openings 22 are fully uncovered, and theposition shown in FIG. 2 wherein the radial openings 22 are fullyclosed.

I Finally, the combined mixer and dispenser 10 includes a dischargeconduit 43 which is connected to the outer tube.'18 and passes upwardlythrough the base 16 and terminates in'a discharge spout 44 that projectsfrom the housing 15. In addition, the inner tube 24 is provided with adischarge orifice 45 which is essentially misaligned with the dischargeconduit when the inner tube is in its normal position shown in FIG. 1.When the innertube is-in its other axial terminal position shown in FIG.2, the discharge orifice 45 is aligned with the discharge conduit.

In operation, the lower ends of each of the inner and outer tubes wouldnormally be immersed in liquid 12 and an operator has the option ofeither mixing the liquid without dispensing it, dispensing the liquidwithout mixing it, or simultaneously mixing and dispensing the liquid.

In the mixing without dispensing mode of operation, an operator wouldmerely actuate switch 37 so that motor 35 would begin to rotate. Liquidwould be drawn by impeller 33 through opening 23 and into chamber 38 fordischarge'through radial openings 22. A small amount of liquid may passthrough the opening 27 but would not find its way into the dischargeconduit 43 for two reasons: first, there is insufficient pressuredeveloped within chamber 38 when aperture 22 are open; and second, theaperture 45 is misaligned with conduit 43 during this mode of operation.Any liquid rising in tube 24 during rotation of the impeller will drainback into the container through opening 27 when the impeller stopsrotating.

In order to carry out the dispensing without mixing mode of operation,an operator would manually depress projection 41 until the free end ofthe inner tube 24 engages the bottom of the outer tube 18 (shoulder 28being seated against enlarged portion 19) wherein radial openings 22would be totally closed by the inner tube. Upon actuation of switch 37in this condition, the rotation of motor 35 would cause the impeller 33to draw liquid through opening 23 and through the opening 27 andupwardly into the tube 24 where the fluid would pass through orifice 45into conduit 43 and be discharged from spout 44as shown in FIG. 2.

The simultaneous mixing and dispensing mode of operation is carried outwhen the operator only partially depresses projection 41 to a positionintermediate the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 thereby only partiallyclosing radial openings 22. In this condition, actuation of the switch37 will cause some of the fluid drawn into chamber 38 by the rotation ofimpeller 33 to pass through the partially blocked openings 22 achievinga mixing of the liquid, and a portion of the liquid to pass through theopening 27 where it will be pumped upwardly and eventually dischargedthrough spout 44.

In the manner described above, it is possible to control the mixing anddispensing to a fine degree. Conversion from one mode of operation toanother mode of operation is achieved easily by the depression of theprojection 41.

In order to beat air into the liquid 12 in the container 11, it ispossible to provide for blocking the spout 44 externally on the housingso that the liquid pumped upwardly through the inner tube 24 when thedevice is in what would normally be its dispensing mode of operation,would be discharged through the shoulder 19 and find its way back intothe main portion of the liquid without being discharged. In a furthermodification, the normal position of the inner tube may be one in whichthe openings 22 are blocked rather than as shown in FIG. 1. In suchcase, the normal mode of operation of the mixer and dispenser devicewould be in the dispensing mode rather than in the mixing mode.

While the motor 35 is shown centrally located on base plate 16, thislocation is only illustrative and the center-line of the concentrictubes could be at any location. Motor 35 may be energized by locatingthe switch between the base of the operating cylinder 39 and thestationary motor mount 36." In such case, a slight depression ofprojection 41 would serve to close the contacts of the switch withoutsignificantly closing ports 22 so that the device sill operate in itsmixing-without-dispensing mode. Substantial depression of projection 41would close the contacts and ports 22 enabling the device to operate inits mixingdispensing or dispensing modes, depending on the extent towhich projection 41 is depressed.

As a further optional modification, an access opening can be provided inboth top cover 40 and plate 16 to permit liquid to be added to thecontainer. In addition, a drain aperture may be provided in inner tube24 located just below aperture 45 so that the drain aperture will bealigned with conduit 43 when the inner tube is in its normal positionthus permitting liquid remaining therein at the termination of adispensing operation to drain back into the container.

The concentric tubes can be of a material compatible with the liquidsused which can be hot or cold, acidic, basic or saline, etc. Further,ice cubes or chipped ice can be added to the liquid 12.

As a further modification, the ports 22 can be located intermediate theends of the outer tube; and in such case, corresponding apertures wouldbe formed in the inner tube. This modification is advantageous inintroducing a longitudinal as well as a radial component in the flowduring the mixing mode of operation.

. As a still further modification, the longitudinal movement of thetubes can be reversed. In other words, the inner tube can be held fixedand the outer tube can be movable. In addition, the direction ofrotation of the impeller is not significant although it is possible toprovide for different degrees of mixing and dispensing by providing avariable speed motor.

I claim:

1. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids comprising:

a a pair of coaxial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axialends adapted to be immersed in a liquid;

b the axial end of the outer tube being open and having radial openingsadjacent thereto, the axial end of the inner tube having aneccentrically located aperture and adapted to selectively close theradial openings in the outer tube depending on the relative axialpositions of the tubes;

c spring means urging the inner tube towards a terminal axial positionrelative to the outer tube and establishing the normal position of theinner tube;

d an axially fixed rotatable shaft coaxial with the tubes extendingcentrally through the adjacent axial ends of the tubes and terminatingin an impeller; and

e means for moving the inner tube relative to the outer tube against theaction of the spring means for establishing the degree to which theradial openings in the outer tubes are covered by the inner tube.

2. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 1including a motor connected to the shaft for driving the impeller, ahousing to which the outer tube is rigidly connected and on which themotor is mounted, the impeller being located inside the outer tubeadjacent its open axial end.

3. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 2 whereinthe inner tube is urged by the spring means to a terminal axial positionat which the radial openings in the outer tube are uncovered by theinner tube.

4. A combined mixed and dispenser apparatus according to claim 3including a discharge conduit connected to the outer tube, the innertube having a discharge orifice opening into the discharge conduit whenthe inner tube is positioned so as to cover the radial openings in theouter tube.

5. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the housing has means for effecting its attachment to acontainer holding the liquid to position the axial ends of the tubeswithin the liquid whereby mixing or dispensing of the liquid can becarried out depending on the axial position of the inner tube relativeto the outer tube.

6. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 5 whereinthe axial end of the inner tube is provided with an annular flangewithin which the impeller is rotatable, such flange being cooperablewith the radial openings in the outer tube to control the flow of liquidtherethrough, depending on the axial position of the inner tube relativeto the outer tube.

7. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 6 whereinthe two tubes are provided with shoulders which limit the axialdisplacement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and cooperatewith the spring means for defining the normal position of the innertube.

8. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the inner tube is provided with extensions projecting into thehousing, and an operating cylinder coaxial with the tubes is engagedwith the extensions and is manually displaceable for the purpose ofmoving the inner tube against the action of the spring means.

9. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 8 usedfor the purpose of mixing and dispensing cocktails.

1. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus for liquids comprising: a apair of coaxial, telescopically mounted tubes having adjacent axial endsadapted to be immersed in a liquid; b the axial end of the outer tubebeing open and having radial openings adjacent thereto, the axial end ofthe inner tube having an eccentrically located aperture and adapted toselectively close the radial openings in the outer tube depending on therelative axial positions of the tubes; c spring means urging the innertube towards a terminal axial position relative to the outer tube andestablishing the normal position of the inner tube; d an axially fixedrotatable shaft coaxial with the tubes extending centrally through theadjacent axial ends of the tubes and terminating in an impeller; and emeans for moving the inner tube reLative to the outer tube against theaction of the spring means for establishing the degree to which theradial openings in the outer tubes are covered by the inner tube.
 2. Acombined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 1 including amotor connected to the shaft for driving the impeller, a housing towhich the outer tube is rigidly connected and on which the motor ismounted, the impeller being located inside the outer tube adjacent itsopen axial end.
 3. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein the inner tube is urged by the spring means to aterminal axial position at which the radial openings in the outer tubeare uncovered by the inner tube.
 4. A combined mixed and dispenserapparatus according to claim 3 including a discharge conduit connectedto the outer tube, the inner tube having a discharge orifice openinginto the discharge conduit when the inner tube is positioned so as tocover the radial openings in the outer tube.
 5. A combined mixer anddispenser apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the housing has meansfor effecting its attachment to a container holding the liquid toposition the axial ends of the tubes within the liquid whereby mixing ordispensing of the liquid can be carried out depending on the axialposition of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.
 6. A combinedmixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the axial endof the inner tube is provided with an annular flange within which theimpeller is rotatable, such flange being cooperable with the radialopenings in the outer tube to control the flow of liquid therethrough,depending on the axial position of the inner tube relative to the outertube.
 7. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 6wherein the two tubes are provided with shoulders which limit the axialdisplacement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube and cooperatewith the spring means for defining the normal position of the innertube.
 8. A combined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 7,wherein the inner tube is provided with extensions projecting into thehousing, and an operating cylinder coaxial with the tubes is engagedwith the extensions and is manually displaceable for the purpose ofmoving the inner tube against the action of the spring means.
 9. Acombined mixer and dispenser apparatus according to claim 8 used for thepurpose of mixing and dispensing cocktails.